Arsenal: Arteta issues Bukayo Saka fitness update ahead of Real Madrid Champions League clash | OneFootball

Gunners boss confident his star player is ready for Tuesday’s huge test

Mikel Arteta has delivered a promising update on Bukayo Saka’s fitness as Arsenal prepare to host Real Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final.

But Arteta is now hinting that Saka could be in line to start against Madrid, where Arsenal will look to name as strong a line-up as possible as they eye European glory.

A start for Saka would be his first in the Champions League since he bagged two goals and an assist in December’s 3-0 home league phase win over Monaco.

For him to return to the starting position would be a huge boost for the Gunners, who have been limited this season by long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

The same can be said for the backline, which is currently without Gabriel Maghalaes and William Saliba, though Ben White is also in line to return to the squad this week.

White has struggled with a niggling knee issue in recent weeks and started against Everton at the weekend, completing 61 minutes, which Arteta said he coped well with.

The Spaniard continued: “Ben finished the game, but he was fine after the game.”

With another training session still to come, Arteta may make a late decision on White’s fitness.

Real Madrid are similarly injury hit, travelling to the Emirates without Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, or Aurelien Tchouameni, who is suspended for the match after picking up too many yellow cards.